Healthcare and Nursing Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when a patient states, 'I feel like no one cares about me'?
- Giving advice
- Reflecting feelings back to the patient (Correct answer)
- Changing the subject
- Providing false reassurance
Correct answer: Reflecting feelings back to the patient
Reflecting validates the patient's emotions and encourages them to explore their feelings without judgment or dismissal.
Question 2: A patient with schizophrenia tells the nurse that the television is sending them personal messages. This is an example of which symptom?
- Hallucination
- Delusion of reference (Correct answer)
- Flat affect
- Avolition
Correct answer: Delusion of reference
A delusion of reference is the false belief that ordinary events (such as a TV broadcast) have special personal significance directed at the individual.
Question 3: Which class of medications is considered first-line treatment for major depressive disorder?
- Benzodiazepines
- Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs)
- Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) (Correct answer)
- Typical antipsychotics
Correct answer: Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs)
SSRIs are first-line for major depression due to their favorable side-effect profile and relative safety compared to older antidepressants.
Question 4: What is the priority nursing intervention for a patient who is actively suicidal?
- Administer a sedative
- Ensure patient safety by removing harmful objects and initiating constant observation (Correct answer)
- Schedule a follow-up appointment
- Encourage journaling
Correct answer: Ensure patient safety by removing harmful objects and initiating constant observation
The immediate priority for an actively suicidal patient is safety — removing means and ensuring continuous monitoring to prevent self-harm.
Question 5: A patient with bipolar disorder is in a manic episode. Which nursing intervention is most appropriate?
- Encourage group therapy sessions
- Provide a stimulating, high-activity environment
- Set firm, consistent limits and provide a calm low-stimulation environment (Correct answer)
- Allow unlimited activity to expend energy
Correct answer: Set firm, consistent limits and provide a calm low-stimulation environment
Manic patients are easily overstimulated; a calm environment with consistent limits reduces agitation and prevents escalation.
Question 6: Which behavior is a hallmark characteristic of borderline personality disorder (BPD)?
- Grandiosity and lack of empathy
- Fear of abandonment and unstable interpersonal relationships (Correct answer)
- Persistent suspiciousness of others
- Excessive orderliness and perfectionism
Correct answer: Fear of abandonment and unstable interpersonal relationships
Intense fear of abandonment and rapid shifts between idealization and devaluation of others (splitting) are core features of BPD.
Healthcare and Nursing Mental Health & Psychiatric Nursing 1
Which therapeutic communication technique is most appropriate when a patient states, 'I feel like no one cares about me'?